Appartement Beruchet Galande

The Panic Babies cast are really sweet, and you can tell they’re having fun and putting a lot of work into the show. I went to see them do Rocky Horror on a Friday night. As an American who’s seen shadow casts since high school, I found it very different from what I’m used to. They don’t really lip-sync or dance. Instead, they talk through little skits on stage and explain the movie and callbacks as it runs. I understand the idea, but you won’t get the same experience as in the US. My friend and I did our callbacks, and we seemed to be almost the only ones making noise for most of the film. People didn’t even sing along to the music. The audience doesn’t seem to know the movie or its callbacks, since shadow casts aren’t really part of French culture. American Rocky veterans should keep that in mind, and only go if they speak pretty good French. My B2 French was barely enough to follow what they were saying. They also throw a lot of water in the rain scenes and unexpectedly in other parts too. We brought umbrellas to shield ourselves, or we would’ve been soaked. One suggestion for the cast: don’t let the speech after the movie drag on. Everyone’s tired and wants to leave, so nobody can pay attention.

We left about 20 minutes into the movie, after the Time Warp, and I’ve never had such a bad experience with this film. We’d gone to celebrate my friend’s birthday, expecting Rocky Horror Picture Show to start at 9pm. Instead, it began 45 minutes late after a long introduction to the film’s history by a troop of six or seven people, with singing and a burlesque act before the screening. Once the movie was playing, they acted in front of the screen and did voiceovers, so we could barely see or hear it. They also made massively vulgar, below-the-belt comments that weren’t appropriate or related to the film. On top of that, the team encouraged people to throw rice during the opening wedding scene and water during the thunderstorm. I was drenched from hair to underwear, and my coat hanging on the back of my seat was soaked too, in the middle of winter. The guy at the till apologized after hearing why we were leaving so quickly, but didn’t seem to care much. I wish I’d asked for a refund. I don’t mind some fun during this particular film, but this was way over the top and nasty. I’ll never go back, and I don’t recommend it. If you do decide to go, consider yourself warned.

The cast really gives everything to the performance, and it’s amazing they’ve kept up this Rocky shadow cast for so long. It’s a fantastic venue and a treat whether you’re a fan or not. Rocky has something for everyone, and this is such a fun, unique way to experience it.

If you speak English, don’t go. It’s only for French people, and the show itself is pretty badly done. Better to watch at home and sing along there :)